Abstract
Syndecan-1 is a trans-membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan that localizes in epithelial cells and has been shown to be present in normal hepatocytes. It is thought to be involved in processes such as cell growth, differentiation and adhesion. However, the clinical data regarding syndecan-1 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are scarce and controversial. Therefore, we need to evaluate the effects of HCC on the serum levels of syndecan-1. Thus, 40 patients with HCC and 31 patients with liver cirrhosis were physically examined. Blood samples were taken for measurements of routine markers (sGPT, sGOT, bilirubin, albumin, and α-fetoprotein), as well as serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and syndecan-1. Patients with liver cirrhosis showed significant increase in serum IL-6 as compared with HCC patients and the control subjects. Serum level of syndecan-1 was significantly increased in HCC patients as compared with the cirrhotic and control groups. In addition, significant positive correlations between syndecan-1 and serum levels of ALT, AST in HCC patients were found. Moreover, syndecan-1 increased significantly with increasing stage of Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer Group diagnostic and treatment strategy. In conclusion, the development of HCC is accompanied by a significant elevation in serum syndecan-1 levels. The increase in serum syndecan-1 may be linked with progression of HCC.
Highlights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become the third most common malignancy worldwide with very poor prognosis, rendering it the fourth highest cause of cancer-related deaths
We found a significant increase in serum concentration of α-fetoprotein in HCC patients as compared to patients with liver cirrhosis and the control group
We found a significant decrease in serum IL-6 concentration in HCC patients as compared to patients with liver cirrhosis
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become the third most common malignancy worldwide with very poor prognosis, rendering it the fourth highest cause of cancer-related deaths. In Africa, liver cancer has been ranked as the fourth common cancer, and most of liver cancers are HCC [1]. Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV worldwide and has rising rates of HCC. HCC comprises nearly 6% of all incident cancer cases worldwide. HCC is the second most frequent cause of cancer incidence and mortality among men in Egypt. Hospital-based studies from Egypt have reported an increase in the relative frequency of all liver-related cancers in Egypt (>95% as HCC), from 4.0% in 1993 to 7.3% in 2003 [2]
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